Sophomore Cora Sorensen exemplifies pride in many aspects of her life, including her activities, interests and beliefs. This pride is especially evident in her involvement at school with the band and color guard.

As a member of the color guard, she spends countless hours perfecting the program and getting ready for performances.

“This season lasts from May until the end of October,” Sorensen said. “It’s a long season and it’s rough. At this point we’re all so tired but we’re still one big family.”

Despite the challenges that the team faces, guard is Sorensen’s favorite activity to participate in. She was first exposed to guard in eighth grade, and has been passionate about it ever since.

“The competitiveness, especially at this school, is really fun,” Sorensen said. I’m a pretty competitive person, and I just really enjoy the activity. In color guard, the performance is quality and it [consists of] theater and dance all wrapped up in one. I really love it.”

Sorensen has found a second family in guard, and has been involved with the activity all throughout high school. She plays flute as well, but realized in eighth grade that the color guard interested her far more than marching.

“In eighth grade, we do a unit on marching band in band [class], and I hated marching so much,” Sorensen said. “I can’t play my instrument and walk at the same time. They have something here [at West] called eighth grade night, where the eighth graders get to come watch the competitive marching band. I came and watched and I saw the color guard and thought it was so cool. I’d heard about it before and finally got to see what it was. After the show we got to meet in sections and right away I went to the color guard because there was no way in the world that I was going to march with flute.”

Sorensen quickly realized that she was passionate about guard and has been a member ever since. However, she also continues to play flute in band and participates in lacrosse outside of school. She brings dedication, compassion, and a strong work ethic to each of these activities, but has found these characteristics to be especially strong in guard.

“In color guard, I’ve been told I have a great attitude when things get rough,” Sorensen said. “I’m really hardworking, I’ll keep the group going, and I’ll take control if I need to.”

These values have been shaped, in part, by her family and the role her parents have played in her life.

“My mom, from church, has a very strong belief that girls should be trained at a young age to cook, sew, take care of kids, and all sorts of things,” Sorensen said. “Sometimes I’m described as the mother of a group because I know how to take care of things and I know how to put things in control. That’s one thing, morals and stuff like that. Morals and religion aren’t necessarily tied together, but the standards that the Mormon religion has sometimes are standards I’ve brought into my own personal life.”

Although religion in her household has shaped her morals to a certain extent, Sorensen has made her beliefs her own over time.

“My mom’s side of the family is Mormon,” Sorensen said. “My dad’s side of the family is Mormon too, but my father is an atheist. My parents are divorced so I get a mixture of both, but I personally don’t associate myself with any [religion].”

Even though she isn’t religious, Sorensen embodies a sense of acceptance for everyone, no matter what their personal beliefs are. Her genuineness and pride in who she is and acceptance for who others are as well is inspiring.

“I have a philosophy that you should come as you are,” Sorensen said. “If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you, but it’s okay to believe in whatever you want.”